STRICTLY Come Dancing has made a huge change to the show as it returns next month.
Bosses have decided not to have a same-sex couple in this year’s lineup in a bid to return to “traditional roots”.
The show has been rocked by scandal this year, with Giovanni Pernice leaving the show and Graziano Di Prima being sacked.
Producers made the decision earlier this month in a desperate bid to draw in higher audience numbers.
TV insiders told MailOnline that while the BBC wants to be seen as “inclusive and progressive”, bosses are aware that “not everyone likes” the same-sex pairings.
The move is an unusual one, considering the all-male duo of Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin made it to the final last year.
Same-sex couples were first introduced to the show in 2019 with Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima dancing together on the show.
The incredible performance received 189 complaints, but show bosses insisted that the gender of the contestants should have “no bearing” on their dancing.
In 2020, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were the first same-sex couple to compete, but they had to drop out after Katya tested positive for Covid.
The following year Johannes was paired with celebrity chef John Whaite and the couple made it to the finals.
In 2022, Jayde Adams was paired with Karen Hauer but the pair were booted off the show on week five.
This year’s show will celebrate 20 years of strictly, but the run-up to the show has been rocked by scandal.
Amanda Abbington, 50, made accusations against Giovanni earlier this year, claiming he was “abusive, cruel and mean” during their rehearsals.
He quit the show and has always denied her claims.
The Sherlock actress claimed to have suffered PTSD after being on the show.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, Amanda said: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.
“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.
“I know what happened in that room, it’s on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It’s a duty of care that is needed.
“Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness, and that courtesy wasn’t extended to me on this job.
“I was being as amenable as possible and it wasn’t being reciprocated, that’s all.
“And I wanted to complain about it because I didn’t think it was fair — this is a publicly owned company.
“It’s insane what has happened to me, with the death threats and backlash. I know the BBC knew about Giovanni’s behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done. It wasn’t an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him.”
Shortly after the backlash over Giovanni, Graziano was axed from the show after he was accused of bullying Zara McDermott in the most recent show.
Graziano, who was accused of “kicking and hitting” Zara has since hired top lawyers after he claims he was wrongfully dismissed.
Barristers have already waded through thousands of text and WhatsApp messages and believe the Italian has a case for unfair dismissal.
The dancer, 30, feels that he wasn’t given the opportunity to tell his side of the story.
A source last night said: “Graziano feels he wasn’t allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.
“The top lawyers at Whitestone Chambers have scanned through thousands of messages between Graziano and Zara and the other Strictly dancers.
“They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.
“He is weighing up his options but remains hopeful he can clear his name.”
The claims against Graziano are the biggest scandal to rock Strictly in its 20-year history.
Last month, The Sun on Sunday told how he was sacked after a video of him “hitting and kicking” Zara was shown to bosses.
